Simple Circuits
A simple circuit has one power source, one lightbulb, and one switch. A switch makes a simple circuit much easier to
use. Without a switch, you would have to keep disconnecting a wire to turn the circuit off. As long as the
circuit is closed, electricity keeps flowing. As soon as there is an opening in the circuit, the flow of electricity stops.
Road closed! Bridge out! No electricity getting through!
Circuts
A circuit is a system that carries electricity to do work. Each part has a job to do. There 4 main parts of a circuit. The battery, the lightbulb, the switch (There doesn't have to be one) and the wire. It doesn't need to power just a lightbulb. It can power buzzers and/or motors. The image below shoes how a circuit works.
Open Circuit
Closed Circuit
Definitions - Electricity
Conducters
Insulators
Ex: Rubber tires
Closed/Open Circuits
Open Circuits
Open circuits don't let electricity flow. That's why when you turn off a light it'll will stop shining.
Closed circuits let electricity flow. That's why when you flip a light switch the light turns on.
So basically...
A closed circuit allows electricity to flow within the circuit.
If there is an opening in the circuit, electricity will not flow.
Conductors and Insulators
Insulators
A insulator is a material that does not allow electricity to flow easily. For example: plastic, rubber, wool, and glass are all insulators. Whenever you plug in your laptop and you see the rubber or leather, or plastic covering the cord, that means your looking at an insulator at work! It allows you to touch the cord without electrocuting you. It keeps the electrical current inside the wire.
Conductors
A conductor is a material that allows electricity to flow easily flow through it. For example: Metals such as, steel, copper, iron, gold, and silver are all great conductors. They're basically like super highways for electricity to speed through. If you travel down long roads you'll see long wires carrying electricity from place to place.
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